Decorative charm

ABSTRACT

A decorative charm includes a base element having a decorative top and a bottom; first and second rigid hook elements having respective extensions having first ends attached to the bottom of the base element and second extension ends angled inwardly to form hook portions; and a planar attachment element having a tapered portion and being disposed to simultaneously abut each extension to frictionally fix the extensions between the base element and the hook portions.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

This is a Continuation in Part of, claims the priority benefit of, andincorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/506,024, entitled “Decorative Charm,” and filed on Mar. 21, 2012by Kathleen Kyser Van Dyne, which is related to, claims the prioritybenefit of, and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/465,554, entitled “Shoe Charm,” and filed onMar. 21, 2011 by Kathleen Kyser Van Dyne.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wearable accessories, and moreparticularly, to decorative charms that can be worn on a person's body,shoes, garments, and other accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wearable accessories can be decorative items worn on a person's body orclothes, and provide decorative utility. Clothes and shoe charms can beattached to a person's clothes or shoes in myriad ways. One way includespassing a shoe string through a continuous portion of a charm, therebysecuring the shoe charm to a shoe. Another way includes passing a rigidportion of a charm through an aperture of a shoe, also resulting in thesecuring of the shoe charm to a shoe. Yet another way includes a pin anda back, in which the pin is used to puncture a shoe or material with thecatch being used to secure the material between the charm and the catch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide adecorative charm.

It is another object of the invention to provide a decorative charm thatcan be a worn on a person's body, shoes, garments, and/or accessory.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention can be embodied in adecorative charm having a base element, first and second hook elements,and a planar attachment element.

In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a base element can havea decorative top and a bottom.

In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, first and secondhook elements can include respective extensions having first and secondextension ends, with each of the first extension ends being attached tothe bottom of a base element and each of the second extension ends beinginwardly rounded to form loops.

In a further exemplary aspect of the present invention, a planarattachment element can include a first planar end having a first widthand a second planar end having a second width.

In yet another exemplary aspect of the present invention, the extensionscan be spaced apart to define an extension width that is wider than thefirst width and narrower than the second width, and the attachmentelement tapers from the second width to the first width.

In still another exemplary aspect of the present invention, the firstand second hook elements can be formed one or more pieces of material,such as individual pieces of material for each hook element, or aunitary piece of material from which both hook elements are formed, forexample and not in limitation.

In one exemplary application, an attachment element can simultaneouslyabut each of the extensions so as to be frictionally fixed between theextensions at a position between the base element and the loops.

In another exemplary application, an attachment element can besimultaneously disposed between each of the loops to frictionally holdthe attachment element against the first and second hook elements.

One or more of the following optional exemplary aspect can apply to anyembodiment and/or application of the present invention:

-   -   the planar attachment element can be a first planar portion of a        clip, with the clip further including a second planar portion        connected to the first planar portion via a hinge element, which        can further optionally be a spring hinge that biases the first        and second planar portions against each other;    -   the planar attachment element can further include a post        attached to the planar element and a back removably engaged with        a terminal end of the post;    -   the planar attachment element can be a portion of a clip, with        the clip further including one or more hook members; and    -   the attachment element can be a bobby-pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not inlimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top-view perspective of an exemplary charm showingthe top of a base element and an engagement element .

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary charm in which a bottom side is shownhaving first and second hook elements with an engagement elementattached to one of the hook elements.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary charm in which a bottom side is shownhaving, inter alia, a hook element with a rounded terminal portion.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary charm with an engagement element securedto a continuous portion of a target via an engagement element engagedwith first and second hook elements.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary charm with an engagement elementsimultaneously abutting each extension to frictionally fix theengagement element between the extensions and between the base elementand hook portions.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary charm having an optional post and back.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary charm having a plurality of hookmembers.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary charm having an attachment elementexemplified in a single planar portion configuration and having anoptional post.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary charm having an attachment element as abobby pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of examplewith reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures. Itshould be kept in mind that the following described embodiments are onlypresented by way of example and should not be construed as limiting theinventive concept to any particular physical configuration, material, ororder not expressly stated as “necessary.”

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention can be embodied in adecorative charm that can be attached to one of a shoe, a garment, and aclothes accessory, and can include the following: a base element, a hookmechanism, and an attachment element formed of an elastic material.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention froma top-view perspective. As visible from this top-view, an exemplarycharm can include a base element 110 and an attachment element 120. Morespecifically, the top 112 of base element 110 and a portion 122 ofattachment element 120 can be seen from this perspective, while anotherportion 124 of attachment element 120 can be behind the base element.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention froma raised, side perspective. As illustrated here, an exemplary baseportion 210 can include a bottom 214 having attached thereto a hookmechanism including a first hook element 232 and a second hook element234. Accordingly, an attachment element 220 can engage first 232 andsecond 234 hook element to secure the charm to a shoe, garment, orclothing accessory, which is more specifically illustrated in FIG. 4(infra). As also illustrated, first 232 and second 234 hook elements canoptionally be angled inwardly (i.e., towards each other) to reduce therisk of an engaged attachment element inadvertently detaching therefrom.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further exemplary aspect of the present inventionalso from a raised, side perspective, in which at least one of first 332and second 334 hook elements can be rounded.

FIG. 4 provides another raised, side perspective of an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, in which an exemplary charm can besecured to a shoe, garment, or clothing accessory having a continuousportion 440. In operation, attachment element 420 can first be engagedwith one of the first 432 and second 434 hook elements. Next, attachmentelement 420 can be stretched and extended around continuous portion 440.Lastly, attachment element 420 can be engaged with the other of thefirst 432 and second 434 hook elements. As illustrated, this can resultin attachment element 420 securing the charm to a shoe, a garment, or aclothes accessory by firmly holding continuous portion 440 between theattachment element and base element 410.

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a continuousportion 440 can include any portion that is continuous, and around whichattachment element 420 would extend and contact, such as, for exampleand not in limitation, a strap, an eyelet defining portion, or a mainbody portion.

Referring back to FIG. 1, top 112 of base element 110 can be provided tobe inherently decorative. As illustrated in FIG. 1, base element 110 canbe provided with a rounded (or disk) shape. However, in an exemplaryaspect of the present invention, base element 110 can be provided in anysize and/or shape desired, such as rounded, square, rectangular, oblong,or any other symmetrical or asymmetrical shape. For example, baseelement 110 can be circular with a one-half or three-quarter inchdiameter, or a square with one-half or three-quarter inch sides.Further, base element 110 can be provided with a flat, or substantiallyflat, top and/or bottom, or slightly concave or convex shape.

In another exemplary aspect, base element 110 (and hook elements 232,234) can be formed from any desired material, such as any type ofplastic, metal, wood, or glass. In still yet another exemplary aspect, abase element 110 can be provided with one or more decorative elements,such as gems, crystals, icons, emblems, etc. on its top 112 to providedecorative utility.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it should be noted that, as illustrated, firstand second hook elements 232, 234 can be affixed to the bottom 214 ofbase element 210. However, one or both elements 232, 234 can also beformed, and therefore be integral, with base element 210. Further, likebase element 210, hook elements 232, 234 can be formed of any type ofmaterial desired, such as any type of plastic, metal, wood, or glass.Further, hook elements 232, 234 can be provided in any size, shapeand/or configuration desired insofar as such provisioning functionallyallows the secure engagement of attachment element 220 in a manner thatfixes the charm as intended. Thus, in addition to an actual hook, anyother form of structure capable of securely engaging attachment element220 can be utilized, such as a clamp, VELCRO, a snap, a button, etc.,for example and not in limitation.

In still yet a further exemplary aspect of the present invention,attachment element 220 can be elastic or inelastic. In one exemplaryembodiment, attachment element 220 can be an elastic band, such as forexample and not in limitation, rubber bands utilized in conjunction withbraces for teeth.

In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a charm asdescribed herein may be utilized in conjunction with various types ofgarments, such as shirts, pants, dresses, etc. Further, a charm may beutilized with clothes accessories in a supplemental manner, such as witha purse, bag, belt, watch, bracelet, necklace, ear ring, etc. To makeclear, the present invention may provide decorative utility whenutilized with other items in addition to a shoe or shoes. In anotherexemplary aspect, the present may also be attached to a person's body,such as to a user's wrist, ankle, hair, ear, etc.

The following are additional exemplary embodiments and/or aspects of thepresent invention, which can optionally be combined, in whole or inpart, with the above exemplary embodiments and/or aspects, in whole orin part:

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a decorativecharm can be attached a person's body, shoe, garment, and/or personalaccessory, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, can include the following: abase element 510, a planar attachment element 520, and first and secondhook elements 532, 534.

As further illustrated in FIG. 5, first and second rigid hook elements532, 534 can each include respective extensions 532 a, 534 a that arerespectively attached at respective first ends to bottom 514 of baseelement 510, and respectively angled inwardly at respective second endsto form hook portions 532 b, 534 b. As illustrated, extensions 532 a,534 a can be spaced apart to define an extension width. Notably, hookportions 532 b, 534 b can be provided in any desired shape and/or angle,including but not limited to a partial, complete, or multi-loopconfiguration, for example and not in limitation, and can include one ormore straight or angled sections. Further, in one exemplary embodiment,exemplary angles relative to a respective extension 532 a, 534 a can bebetween 0° and 180°.

As also illustrated in FIG. 5, planar attachment element 520 can includea first planar end 521 having a first width and a second planar end 522having a second width. Notably, in one embodiment, the extension widthcan be wider than the first width and narrower than the second width,and attachment element 520 can taper from the second width to the firstwidth. Accordingly, attachment element 520 can simultaneously abut eachof extensions 532 a, 534 a so as to be frictionally fixed between theextensions at a position between base element 510 and hook portions 532b, 534 b. Accordingly, attachment of a charm can be effectuated by sofrictionally fixing attachment element 520 between extensions 532 a, 534a, so as to hold a piece of material or a person's body between theattachment element and base element 510. Notably, however, attachmentelement 520 can include one or more planar portions, with at least oneof the portions simultaneously abutting extensions 532 a, 534 a asdescribed above. As also illustratively shown in FIG. 5, attachmentelement 520 can be provided with first and second planar portions 522,523, which can be connected via any known or apparent hinge 524.Notably, hinge 524 can be a spring hinge formed via material selection,such as any functionally compatible metal, alloy, plastic, or othermaterial, or can include a separate spring structure, to provide abiasing of at least two planar portions together.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, in which attachment element 520 can include a planar portionthat optionally includes a post-catch combination and/or one or morehook members. As illustrated, a post 525 a can be attached to the planarportion, and a back 525 b can be removably engagable with a terminal end526 of the post. Accordingly, post 525 a can be passed through amaterial or a person's body with back 525 b securing the planar portionto the material or person's body. As also illustrated, a planar portionof attachment element 520 can include one or more hook members 527 fromwhich one or more decorative or functional structures can be engaged,such as a hoop, string, chain, or any other shaped structure that canfunctionally engage with the one or more hook members.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, in which planar portion of attachment element 520 canoptionally include a plurality of hook members 527. In an exemplaryaspect of the invention, hook members 527 can be provided infunctionally compatible shape and configuration that provides a hookingfunction. Further, by providing at least one hook member 527, broaderflexibility is provided in terms of how a charm can be attached, andwhat additional structural aspects can be attached to the charm, such asrope, chain, hoop, a structure having an aperture for engagement, etc.According to the present invention, a hook member 527 can be a separatestructure connected to a planar portion by welding, glue, screw, rivet,or any other manner or structural manner desired; or can be integralwith the planar portion. Also, it should be noted that a hook member 527can be connected to any portion of the planar member, and therefore canbe attached to any portion of a planar member or any portion ofattachment element 520.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, in which planar portion of attachment element 520 isexemplified in a single planar portion configuration and having anoptional post 525 a. As described above with FIG. 6, post 525 a can passthrough a material or a person's body with a back (not shown) securingthe planar portion to the material or person's body.

Referring now to FIG. 9, which illustrates yet another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, hook portions 532 b, 534 b can beangled inwardly so as to be at least partially enclosed loops. Asillustrated, in this embodiment, an attachment element 520 can besimultaneously disposed between each of hook portions 532 b, 534 b tofrictionally fix the attachment element against the hook portions.Accordingly, attachment of a charm can be effectuated by so disposingattachment element 520 with a material or part of a person's bodydisposed between attachment element 520 and base element 510. Notably,attachment element 520 is illustratively shown as a hair pin, but can beany functionally compatible structure that can be simultaneouslydisposed between each hook portion 532 b, 534 b.

It should be noted that while hook portions 532 b, 534 b in FIGS. 5-8are exemplarily illustrated as being angled at a generally 90° angle,the hook portions can be alternatively or conjunctively angled in acurled or irregular manner to form partial, complete, or multiple loops,or any other functionally compatible shape, whether regular orirregular. It should be further noted that any one or more attachmenttechniques disclosed herein can be incorporated in a single embodimentof the present invention. Therefore, for example and not in limitation,a single embodiment of the present invention can attach to a person'sbody, shoe, garment, and/or personal accessory in one or more ways,independently or in combination.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the mannerof making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosedin the above-written description of the exemplary embodiments andaspects. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notnecessarily limited to the specific embodiments, aspects, arrangement,and components shown and described above, but may be susceptible tonumerous variations within the scope of the invention. Moreover,particular exemplary features described herein in conjunction withspecific embodiments and/or aspects of the present invention are to beconstrued as applicable to any embodiment described within, enabledhereby, or apparent herefrom. Thus, the specification and drawings areto be regarded in a broad, illustrative, and enabling, rather than arestrictive, sense.

Further, it will be understood that the above description of theembodiments of the present invention are susceptible to variousmodifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appendedclaims.

Therefore, I claim:
 1. A decorative charm, comprising: a base elementhaving a decorative top and a bottom; first and second rigid hookelements including respective extensions having first and secondextension ends, with each of the first extension ends being attached tothe bottom of said base element and each of the second extension endsbeing angled inwardly to form hook portions; and a planar attachmentelement including a first planar end having a first width and a secondplanar end having a second width; wherein the extensions are spacedapart to define an extension width that is wider than the first widthand narrower than the second width, said attachment element tapers fromthe second width to the first width, and said attachment elementsimultaneously abuts each of the extensions and is frictionally fixedbetween the extensions at a position between said base element and thehook portions.
 2. The decorative charm of claim 1, wherein said planarattachment element is a first planar portion of a clip, the clip furtherincluding a second planar portion connected to the first planar portionvia a hinge element.
 3. The decorative charm of claim 2, wherein thehinge element is a spring hinge that biases the first and second planarportions against each other.
 4. The decorative charm of claim 1, whereinsaid planar attachment element further includes, a post connected tosaid planar element, and a back removably engaged with a terminal end ofthe post.
 5. The decorative charm of claim 1, wherein said planarattachment element is a portion of a clip, the clip further including atleast one hook member.
 6. The decorative charm of claim 5, wherein saidplanar attachment element further includes, a post connected to saidplanar element, and a back removably engaged with a terminal end of thepost.
 7. The decorative charm of claim 1, wherein said first and secondhook elements are formed from a unitary piece of material.
 8. Thedecorative charm of claim 7, wherein said planar attachment element is afirst planar portion of a clip, the clip further including a secondplanar portion connected to the first planar portion via a hingeelement.
 9. The decorative charm of claim 8, wherein the hinge elementis a spring hinge that biases the first and second planar portionsagainst each other.
 10. The decorative charm of claim 7, wherein saidplanar attachment element further includes, a post connected to saidplanar element, and a back removably engaged with a terminal end of thepost.
 11. The decorative charm of claim 7, wherein said planarattachment element is a portion of a clip, the clip further including atleast one hook member.
 12. The decorative charm of claim 11, whereinsaid planar attachment element further includes, a post connected tosaid planar element, and a back removably engaged with a terminal end ofthe post.
 13. A decorative charm, comprising: a base element having adecorative top and a bottom; first and second rigid hook elementsincluding respective extensions having first and second extension ends,with each of the first extension ends being attached to the bottom ofsaid base element and each of the second extension ends being angledinwardly to form respective hook portions; and an attachment elementincluding a first end having a first width and a second end having asecond width; wherein the extensions are spaced apart to define anextension width that is wider than the first width and narrower than thesecond width, said attachment element tapers from the second width tothe first width, and said attachment element is simultaneously disposedbetween each of the hook portions to frictionally fix said attachmentelement against said first and second hook portions.
 14. The decorativecharm of claim 13, wherein said attachment element is a hair pin.